The 2011 Scion tC: Touring Coupe or Troubled Car?

The last couple weeks haven’t exactly been my best. It’s hard to say where it started, but it would certainly appear that the automotive fates have aligned against me. Perhaps it’s simply karma finally coming around to make up for all the vehicular shenanigans of my youth, or perhaps it’s just one of those times, but it’s amazing how thoroughly a hit-and-run, an undeserved parking ticket, and a daunting array of mechanical gremlins can ruin your month.

And although the ownership of multiple British cars has taught me the importance of a sense of humour, it’s hard not to begrudge a brand new car for its mechanical and electrical pitfalls. And trust me, although it’s not a subject that’s often written about my automotive scribes like myself, it happens. BMW M3 cabriolet windows refuse to wind up in the face on oncoming thunder storm, Audi power seats refuse to response, and Scion tC engines rebuke any attempt to idle smoothly.

The last in a quartet of Scion press vehicles I’ve tested, the attractive tC should have been the best of the bunch. The most expensive Scion available, it’s perhaps the only one of the bunch that aspires to be better than its $20,850 price tag would lead you to believe it is. From its racy and aggressive front end to its oddly geometric yet graceful rear flanks, it’s the superlative Scion: faster, prettier, and quite simply better than either of its Yaris-based stablemates.

Inside, that trend continues. While the xB and xD are certainly practical, the tC makes enough concessions to style to convince you that this might not actually be Toyota’s bargain basement take on the coupe market. From the wide dashboard to the almost Hummer H1-like cant of the driver-oriented control cluster, the tC’s cabin is nothing short of a revelation by comparison. The steering wheel; small and thick-rimmed, is blessed with great silver trim and a flat bottom, and is placed perfectly for sporting driving. Likewise, the seating position is low, with the high beltline and long, flat dash providing a sort of protective cocoon from which you view the outside world. Sadly, that cocoon includes a couple pretty substantial c-pillars that are detrimental to rearward vision, but overall the car’s greenhouse is ample and outward visibility mostly good.

 But it’s not necessarily the window dressing that really seems to appeal, but rather the meaty substance of the tC. The long doors, for example, open and close with some serious authority and feel heavier than you’re liable to find on anything in this price range. The seats, both well bolstered and comfortable, are far better than the $20,850 entry level price tag would seem to indicate. And it doesn’t stop with the build quality: it drives just as well. The steering feels well weighted and quite direct, and the 180 horsepower motor drives with surprising authority, even when it’s backed by the optional six speed automatic gearbox. Although not quite as involving as the Honda Civic Si or as solid as the stoically luxurious Volkswagen GTI, its performance on the road makes a great attempt at bridging the nearly $10,000 gap between itself and those cars.

But it’s not quite perfect. First off, there’s the aforementioned matter of the erratic idle to resolve. Although only rearing its head during the wetter days of my week-long test period, it’s a problem Scion’s mechanics have yet to pin down to any individual cause, but is something that isn’t expected on a modern vehicle. Basically bouncing between a rough 450 rpm and 1,000 rpm with brief stopovers at 750-800 rpm, the engine seemingly took on a mind of its own at stoplights. I wouldn’t expect it to afflict every Scion that leaves a dealer’s lot, but it was a bit dismaying to discover in a car with less than 6,000 kilometers on the odometer. Leaving the engine’s road manners completely unaffected, the car ran fine so long as any degree of forward momentum was continued, making it a real head-scratcher of an issue. But even it can’t compare to the vastly more confusing status of the backup lights. Fitted with what appears to be a pair of reverse lights, I’d surmised that the lack of white light emanating from the passenger side brake light assembly while reversing could, and would, be attributed to a burnt out bulb. I was wrong. Apparently, Scion tC’s are only fitted with a single reverse light from the factory. If that’s not an automotive oddity, I don’t know what is.

So, what sort of conclusion can be reached about a car that seems to have the most important characteristics in spades, but is sold with a single reverse light bulb? Well… it’s good. Mostly. Although press cars do live hard and oftentimes short lives, it’s impossible not to wonder why a brand new car would idle so spastically. Then again, should one find themselves aboard a less spastic Scion tC, the degree of solidarity and performance exuded by the car will undoubtedly surprise. From daily driving chores to long highway commutes, it never stops impressing with its quick handling, tractable power and enviable interior. Representing quite a good value for those shopping for a quasi-hot-hatch, it’s a car that’s definitely not lacking for character… if only the same could be said for a passenger-side reverse light!